Breed Standard

Last updated
April 2018

A Breed Standard is the guideline which describes the ideal characteristics, temperament and appearance including the correct colour of a breed and ensures that the breed is fit for function. Absolute soundness is essential. Breeders and judges should at all times be careful to avoid obvious conditions or exaggerations which would be detrimental in any way to the health, welfare or soundness of this breed. From time to time certain conditions or exaggerations may be considered to have the potential to affect dogs in some breeds adversely, and judges and breeders are requested to refer to the Breed Watch section of the Kennel Club website here http://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/services/public/breed/watch for details of any such current issues. If a feature or quality is desirable it should only be present in the right measure. However if a dog possesses a feature, characteristic or colour described as undesirable or highly undesirable it is strongly recommended that it should not be rewarded in the show ring

General Appearance

A small elegant dog, lively, long-legged, with fine bone and lean muscles.

Characteristics

Squarely built. Length of leg is slightly greater than the depth of body. Two coat types – smooth coated and long coated. Large ears carried erect, with fringing on the long haired variety.

Ears

Mouth

Jaws strong with a perfect, regular and complete scissor bite, i.e. upper teeth closely overlapping lower teeth and set square to the jaws.

Nose

Black or self-coloured.

Neck

Long, lean, slightly arched. Head carried high.

Forequarters

Front legs fine boned, straight and parallel. Shoulders moderate in length, only slightly sloping and forming a rather open angle with the upper arm. Shoulders and upper arms of approximately equal length. Elbows set close to body.

Body

Topline slopes gently from low withers to slightly rounded croup. Back strong and straight with short, slightly arched loin. Chest oval and not too wide. Tucked up belly and drawn up flanks, forming a curved underline.

Hindquarters

Moderately angulated. Seen from the rear, the hind legs are straight and parallel, but standing slightly wider than the forelegs.

Feet

Small, oval, compact, turning neither in nor out.

Tail

Previously customarily docked.

Docked: short, carried high.

Undocked: sickle tail, carried high when moving

Gait/Movement

Brisk, positive action, maintaining topline on the move.

Coat

Long haired: moderately long (3-5 cms), straight or slightly wavy. Close-lying, not obscuring the natural outline of the body. Hair on the head and on the front part of limbs is short and smooth. Distinct feathering on rear side of limbs. The feet have long, silky hair which completely hides the nails. Ears fringed with thick, long hair. Tail well feathered.

Colour

Black and tan, brown and tan, blue and tan. Red of any shade, with or without black or brown overlay. Richer shades in all colours preferred. White markings not permitted.

Size

Faults

Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog and on the dog’s ability to perform its traditional work.

Note

Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.

*Note for prospective puppy buyers

Size – the Kennel Club Breed Standard is a guide and description of the ideal for the breed; the Size as described does not imply that a dog will match the measurements given (height or weight). A dog might be larger or smaller than the Size measurements stated in the Breed Standard.